System and Method for Extension of Wireless Footprint

ABSTRACT

A system and method for communicating through a host repeater. Data is received from a remote repeater communicating with a wireless device. The host repeater registers as the wireless device on a wireless network. The data is reformatted for transmission between the wireless devices and the wireless network.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of earlier-filed patentapplication Ser. No. 11/607,576, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR EXTENSIONOF WIRELESS FOOTPRINT,” filed Nov. 30, 2006.

BACKGROUND

Wireless communications have become more prevalent in recent years. Manywireless users employ wireless devices to communicate for both businessand personal use. Wireless communications are particularly usefulbecause of the general availability and lack of geographic limitationsor constraints imposed upon the wireless user. As a result, wirelessusers have become very dependent on wireless access. In most cases,wireless users expect adequate coverage without limitations.

Unfortunately, most wireless providers have limited coverage based onradio frequency range, geographic location, cost, available carriers,and other factors. For example, some wireless users in mountainousregions may have difficulty accessing a wireless signal due to theterrain. In another example, despite numerous cell towers and repeatersbroadcasting wireless signals there may still be locations between thebroadcast devices that have inadequate wireless access otherwise knownas a “dead spot”. A wireless user in a “dead spot” has limited ornon-existent wireless access. Large numbers of dead spots may beparticularly frustrating for wireless users dependent on wirelesscommunications.

In other cases, wireless service providers may not have roaming orsupport agreements or may have limited or no wireless coverageinternationally. As a result, a wireless user that is traveling may needto seek alternative methods of communication that are often inconvenientand costly. Despite an increase in coverage agreements and improvingtechnology, unavailability of wireless access continues to be a problemfor wireless users.

SUMMARY

The illustrative embodiments provide a method and system useful forextension of a wireless footprint. The use of such a system provides auser access to a home cellular network event from a remote geographiclocation. One embodiment includes a method of communicating through arepeater. The method involves receiving format information at therepeater via a wired connection and selecting a first format from amonga plurality of formats according to the format information, wherein thefirst format is compatible with a wireless cellular network. First datareceived at the repeater via the wired connection in a second formatcompatible with a wired internet protocol network is converted to thefirst format, wherein the second format is different than the firstformat. The first data is wirelessly transmitted from the repeater inthe first format, second data is wirelessly received at the repeater inthe first format, the second data is converted from the first format tothe second format, and the second data is communicated in the secondformat from the repeater via the wired connection.

Another embodiment includes another method of communicating through arepeater. The method includes receiving a wireless communicationssignal, detecting a first format associated with the signal, andcommunicating format information via a wired connection in a secondformat, wherein the format information indicates the first format,wherein the first format is compatible with a wireless cellular networkand the second format is compatible with a wired internet protocolnetwork, and wherein the first format is different than the secondformat. First data is wirelessly received at the repeater in the firstformat, the first data is converted from the first format to the secondformat and communicated via the wired connection in the second format.Second data is received in the second format at the repeater via thewired connection, converted from the second format to the first format,and wirelessly transmitted from the repeater in the first format.

Yet another embodiment includes another method of communicating througha repeater. The method includes hosting a local area network bytransmitting and receiving a local area network wireless signal from therepeater, converting first data received at the repeater via a wiredconnection in a first format compatible with a wired internet protocolnetwork to a second format compatible with a wireless cellular network,and wirelessly transmitting the first data from the repeater in thesecond format. Second data is wirelessly received at the repeater in thesecond format, converted from the second format to the first format, andcommunicated in the first format from the repeater via the wiredconnection. Third data is received at the repeater via the wiredconnection in the first format and converted to a third formatcompatible with the local area network and wirelessly communicated fromthe repeater in the third format. Fourth data is wirelessly received atthe repeater in the third format, converted from the third format to thefirst format, and communicated in the first format via the wiredconnection.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described indetail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, which areincorporated by reference herein and wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of an Internet Protocolbased cell phone repeater system for providing extended communicationcoverage to a wireless user;

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for a process for repeater communications inaccordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for a process for broadcasting a signal inaccordance with the illustrative embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for a process for using repeater communicationsremotely in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for a process for using a host repeater forcommunications in accordance with illustrative embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for a process for using a remote repeater forcommunications in accordance with illustrative embodiments of thepresent invention; and

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for a process for using a host repeater forcellular communications in accordance with the illustrative embodimentsof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The illustrative embodiments of the present invention provide a systemand method for extension of a wireless footprint. The illustrativeembodiments extend the available access of a wireless device by creatinga split wireless repeater function to carry the communications of awireless device over wired facilities using Internet protocols or otheravailable network connectivity to a desired wireless network location.The wireless device or client may be a cell phone, personal digitalassistant, laptop, or other wireless communication device that sends andreceives information through a wireless communications network. Voice,text, data, and other analog or digital communications are hereinreferred to as data. In general a host repeater registers itself as thewireless device based on communication between the host repeater, aremote repeater and the wireless device. The host repeater thenrebroadcasts packets received from the wireless device in order totransmit data as if the host repeater is the wireless device. Forexample, a wireless user may make a phone call from a home cellularnetwork even though the wireless user is in a location without access tothe home cellular network.

As used herein, the term “convert” and terms that are variations orforms thereof shall mean any modification, derivative, abridgement,extension, addition, transformation, translation, mapping,encapsulation, removal of capsulation, or other change to the header orpayload portions of any packet, cell, slot, frame, channel, signal, orother portion, grouping, or other communication of data. As used herein,“format” means any structure, language, protocol, model, arrangement, orother organization of data. For example, converting the format of datamay include encapsulating data into a packet and creating a header tomake such data consistent with an IP protocol. It may also includeremoving an IP protocol packet header from such a packet. Alternatively,data having a first format can be mapped or translated into a secondformat using a rules-based engine, mapping engine, or parsing andidentification process.

FIG. 1 is an illustration of one embodiment of a repeater system forproviding extended communication coverage to a wireless user. Therepeater system 100 of FIG. 1 is used to allow a wireless user tocommunicate from a remote location. FIG. 1 illustrates networksincluding a home network 102, a remote local network 104, a cellularnetwork 106, and a wired network 114. The repeater system also includesa client 108, a host repeater, 110, a remote repeater 112, a client workstation 116, a broadcast tower 118, and a target device 120.

In one embodiment, the home network 102 is the wireless networkservicing the location most frequently accessed by the wireless user.However, the home network 102 may be any other wireless network accessedby the wireless user. For example, the home network 102 may be a WiFi orother suitable wireless network used at home, work, or school by thewireless user. The home network 102 may be broadcast by the hostrepeater 110, or any base station or other suitable device notillustrated herein located within a range suitable for communicationwith the host repeater 110. In one embodiment, the host repeater 110 isa personal computer with a wireless transceiver. However, the hostrepeater 110 may be any suitable data processing device including awireless router, or otherwise be in communication with a wirelesstransceiver suitable for establishing a wireless network. The hostrepeater 110 may use WiMAX™, Evolution Data Optimized (EVDO), WiFi, orother wireless network protocols suitable for wireless communications.

The remote local network 104 is a wireless network accessible to thewireless user in his or her current geographic location. In oneembodiment, the remote local network 104 is broadcast from the remoterepeater 112 and communicates with the wired network 114. The remotelocal network 104 and the home network 102 may be a WiFi network thatuses IEEE standard 802.11 or other suitable wireless standards. Theclient 108 is a wireless device enabled to send and receive data usingany of these wireless protocols. For example, the client 108 may be acell phone that may access the cellular network 106 and the remote localnetwork 104.

In one example, the remote local network 104 may be a wireless networkbroadcast from the remote repeater 112 provided for guests at a hotel inHong Kong. Alternatively, the wireless user may have brought a laptopwith a wireless transceiver that is established as the remote repeater112. In one embodiment, the remote repeater 112 is a wirelesstransceiver interconnected to the wired network 114. However, the hostrepeater 112 may be any suitable data processing device including awireless router, or otherwise be in communication with a wirelesstransceiver suitable for establishing a wireless network. The remoterepeater 112 may also be interconnected to the client work station 116.

In another embodiment, the remote repeater 112 and the client workstation 116 are integrated devices, such as a laptop with a wirelesstransceiver, which may be used to communicate with the client 108. Inone embodiment, the cellular network 106 is a wireless radio frequencynetwork that transmits and receives data through a broadcast tower 118.However, the cellular network 106 may be a cellular or other personalcommunication system network suitable for communications with wirelessclients. The networks shown in repeater system 100 are shown asexamples. Any number and type of networks, such as global system formobile communication (GSM) and code division multiple access (CDMA)networks, may be used to implement the methods described by theillustrative embodiments of the present invention.

In one embodiment, the wired network 114 may be the collection ofnetworks commonly referred to as “the Internet”. However, the wirednetwork 114 may be any collection of public and private networkssuitable for sending data. A wireless user may use the client 108 tosend and receive phone calls, text messages, and other communications.As shown in FIG. 1, the client 108 is outside the range of the cellularnetwork 106 and as a result does not have access to normal cellular orwireless coverage.

The illustrative embodiments of the present invention allow the client108 to communicate with devices connected to the home network 102 andthe cellular network 106 from a remote location. The client 108establishes a communication link or session to communicate data to theremote repeater 112. The remote repeater 112 in the local network 104establishes a communication session with the host repeater 110 in thehome network 102. The communication session is a connection fortransferring data received from the client 108 through the remoterepeater 112 to the host repeater 110. The communication session maydedicate resources, such as bandwidth and processing power orfunctionality to ensuring data is properly sent and received. In oneembodiment, the remote repeater 112 and host repeater 110 may use staticInternet Protocol addresses to send data during the communicationsession. In another embodiment, the remote repeater 112 and the hostrepeater 110 include software for allowing each device to act as arepeater. The repeater software may be used to establish thecommunication session between the devices and the client 108.

The remote repeater 112 establishes a connection to the host repeatervia the wired network 114. The host repeater 110 may requireconnectivity authorization credentials as normally used in setting upremote access connections. Once the session between the host repeater110 and the remote repeater 112 is established the wireless repeaterfunction or wireless session may commence.

Depending upon the nature of the repeater function, the remote repeater112 may need to packetize, encrypt and or otherwise encode the data fortransport across the wired network 114. For example, the remote repeatermay packetize the data into discrete packets that may be sent across thewired network 114. The packetization of the data may involve addinginformation, such as a routing address, to a header of each packet sothat the packets are routed to the host repeater 110. The host repeater110 and remote repeater 112 may also have to translate wireless commandsby encoding them to control signaling for retransmission. Additionally,all or parts of communication my need to be transmitted in a secureInternet protocol tunnel via encryption methods based on thetransmission protocol used.

In one embodiment of the invention the host repeater 110 and remoterepeater 112 act as a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) repeater. Inthis scenario, the remote repeater 112 supports base station emulationfor receiving data as if it were the cellular carrier and the remoterepeater 112 transmits data from the client 108 to the host repeater 110so that the host repeater 110 may emulate the client, such as amulti-mode cell phone.

The remote repeater 112 may be set up to automatically repeat the client108. Alternatively, the client 108 may include software whereby a usermay choose to repeat the client 108. However, once the client 108 hasbeen chosen for use via the repeaters, the registration information ofthe client 108 is forwarded to the host repeater 110. The host repeater110 then emulates the client 108 into the home network 102 and thecellular network 106 and finds all cellular carrier informationincluding existing CDMA carriers and cell sectors currently in use inthe area.

After the host repeater 110 finds all used pilot pseudonoise (PN)sequences and/or carriers or channels, the host repeater 110 sends theinformation to the remote repeater 112 and based on additionalinformation provided at provisioning, the remote repeater 112 may then“flip” to emulating the broadcast tower 118 utilizing the information.The channels available for use may be restricted to specific frequencybands based on regulatory or business requirements. For example, theremote repeater 112 may only be able to use specified frequencies, suchas Personal Communications Services (PCS) Band A because that is theonly band in the area that the service provider or its partners isauthorized to use. In addition, the service provider may have a specificscheme for PN offset assignment. In addition, the remote repeater 112may need to “tell” the host repeater 110 that it is providing CDMAservice so the host repeater 110 may switch to CDMA and find acell/sector for use.

When the subscriber enables a device, such as client 108, in thecoverage area of the remote repeater 112, one of two things may happen.First, if the Preferred Roaming List (PRL) of the client 108 is set upto search for the remote repeater 112, the client 108 will find theremote repeater 112 and continue the process. If the client 108 isn'tset up to search for the remote repeater 112, a manual process may beestablished to force the client 108 to the remote repeater 112 throughsoftware on the client 108. For example, the user may elect which ofmany remote repeaters to connect to using the client 108.

After establishing the remote repeater 112 as its primary “cell”, theclient 108 proceeds to register with the remote local network 104. Theremote repeater 112 takes the normal CDMA registration information whichmay include the cellular identification used by the client 108, the LongPN Code, and encapsulate the information for transmission through thewired network 114 to the host repeater 110, to be reassembled fortransmission to its associated cell/sector. The cell/sector will see thetransmission from the host repeater 110 as a request from the client 108and process the access request. The reverse will happen to confirmaccess and deliver associated information for further processing ofvoice or data calls.

In another embodiment, the repeater system 100 is set up to repeat aWiFi signal from the client 108 to the remote repeater 112 and then tothe host repeater 110 to access the home network 102 or any other WiFiaccess points in the vicinity of the host repeater 110. This exampledescribes a WiFi repeater, however the same repeater principles can beapplied to other IP supporting protocols such as 802.11 and 802.16protocols. In this example, the host repeater 110 scans for WiFi accesspoints and transmits the list of available networks to the remoterepeater 112. The remote repeater stores the list and presents it via asoftware in the form of a user interface for clients or a provisioninginterface that is part of the repeater/WiFi client software.

Next, the client work station 116, or the client 108 attaches to theremote repeater 112 and remote local network 104 the user may access theuser interface on repeater 112 and select a WiFi access point or networklocated at the host repeater site. Once the user has selected an accesspoint, the remote repeater 112 forwards the MAC addressing of the client108 to the host repeater 100 so the host repeater 100 may emulate theclient 108. The remote repeater 112 also takes the addressing providedby the host repeater 110 and emulates the chosen wireless or cellularaccess point. At this point, all packets addressed to the devicescommunicating with the host repeater 110 are encapsulated by the remoterepeater 112 and transmitted to the host repeater 110 where they aretransmitted via the home network 102.

As a result, the client 108 is able to make phone calls to orcommunicate with the target device 120 even though the client 108 onlyhas access to the remote local network 104 and is not within range ofthe home network 102. In one embodiment, the target device 120 is a cellphone that communicates using the cellular network 106. However, thetarget device 120 may be any device suitable for wirelesscommunications. For example, the client 108 may make a local call to thetarget device 120 in New York even though the wireless user isphysically located in Japan accessing the local network 104.

The illustrative embodiments allow the host repeater 110 to transmitdata as if the client 108 were present in the home network 102. In oneembodiment, the remote repeater 112 may pass registration informationfrom the client 108 which enables the host repeater 110 to send andreceive data as if the host repeater 100 were the client 108. Theregistration information may include a Message Authentication Code (MAC)code, Internet Protocol address, password, serial number, telephonenumber, network key, serial number, telephone number, or any othersuitable authorization identifier, scheme, or protocol that the hostrepeater 110 may use to transmit data in cellular network 106. Inanother embodiment, the host repeater 110 stores the registrationinformation for when the client 108 is in a remote location. Theregistration may be manually entered by the wireless user, sent in amessage, or otherwise manually or automatically configured on the hostrepeater 110.

In such a manner, the client 108 is registered on the cellular network106, despite being at a remote location, so that data may be sent andreceived from the host repeater 110. For example, the wireless user maybe in Thailand without access to a cellular service provider that isbased out of the United States. As previously mentioned, the wirelessuser may also make a phone call to the target device 120 as if theclient 108 were physically present within the range of cellular network106.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for a process for repeater communications inaccordance with illustrative embodiments of the present invention. Theprocess of FIG. 2 may be implemented by a repeater system. The processbegins with the client being enabled (Step 202). The client may beenabled by being turned on or otherwise activated for communications.Next, the process determines whether the client is configured forautomatic connection to a remote repeater (Step 204). The determinationof Step 204 may be made based on preferences, configuration, orcapabilities of the client. For example, the user may have previouslyconfigured the client to connect to available remote repeaters asdetected. Alternatively, the preferred roaming list of the client mayautomatically find the remote repeater. If the client is configured forautomatic connection to a remote repeater, the client automaticallyestablishes a repeater session with the client (Step 206).

Next, the remote repeater sends registration information to a hostrepeater for emulating the client (Step 208). The registrationinformation is the information required by the host repeater to emulateor imitate the client device. The registration information may specify acommunications protocol, passwords, client keys, or other informationnecessary for registering and communicating data.

If the client is not configured for automatic connection to the remoterepeater in Step 204, the client receives user input to establish arepeater session with the client (Step 210). The user input may bemanually entered into the client based on the user's preferences orbased on a preferred communications configuration. Software running onthe client may prompt a user to establish a communication session withthe remote repeater. For example, there may be multiple remote repeatersavailable to the client and the user may select which remote repeater toconnect to based on factors, such as compatibility, speed, cost, andcoverage.

Next, the remote repeater emulates the client and finds cellular carrierinformation (Step 212). The cellular carrier information may includesequences, channels, carrier or provider, and other information that isused to communicate with the cellular carrier, transceiver, tower, orother network devices. Next, the host repeater sends the cellularcarrier information to the host repeater (Step 214). The remote repeateremulates the cellular carrier using the cellular carrier information(Step 216). Step 216 allows the client to communicate with the remoterepeater as if the remote repeater were a cellular tower in the user'shome network. As a result, a user may effectively make a local call fromthe home network without roaming or added fees even though the user isin a remote location.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart for a process for broadcasting a signal inaccordance with the illustrative embodiments of the present invention.The process of FIG. 3 may be implemented by a repeater system. Theprocess beings with the client registering for a repeater session (Step302). One embodiment of the establishment of the repeater session isdescribed in FIG. 2. The repeater session may be established between aclient, a remote repeater, a client workstation, a host repeater, one ormore cellular carrier devices, and other data processing andcommunications elements.s.

Next, the remote repeater encodes a signal (Step 304). The signal may bereceived from the client and may be data, such as a voice conversationor dialing information, or may include registration information forregistering the client. The signal may be encoded for transmissionacross an Internet Protocol network. Additionally, the signal may beencrypted for added security.

Next, the remote repeater transmits the signal (Step 206). The hostrepeater received and decodes the signal (Step 308). The signal may needto be decoded or unencrypted into a different form. For example, thesignal may need to be decoded from an Internet Protocol packet to asignal that may be broadcast to a cellular carrier. Next, the hostrepeater broadcasts the emulated signal (Step 310) with the processterminating thereafter. The signal is sent in Step 310 from the remoterepeater on behalf of the client. As a result the client may send andreceive data as if the client were present in the home network.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for a process for using repeater communicationsremotely in accordance with illustrative embodiments of the presentinvention. The process of FIG. 4 may be implemented by a cell phonerepeater system. The process begins with the client detecting a remotelocal network (Step 402). The remote local network may be a local datanetwork that is available from a public provider. However, the remotelocal network may require a subscription, fee, password or otherauthentication to allow communication. The remote local network may bedetected by a cell phone, personal digital assistant, or other device.In one embodiment, the client is automatically configured to detectwireless networks and provide the wireless user information, such asavailability, cost, compatibility, and security.

Next, the client initiates a communication session with a remoterepeater (Step 404). The remote repeater may be stand-alone orintegrated with a laptop or other device, such as a client work station.The communication session of Step 404 may be instigated by a wirelessuser based on the unavailability of a cellular network for standardcommunications. For example, the wireless user may initiate thecommunication session because cellular access is insufficient to make aphone call. Alternatively, the client may automatically initiate thecommunication session when communications functions of the client areselected.

Next, the remote repeater initiates a communication session with a hostrepeater (Step 406). The communication session may be establishedthrough a software interface, static Internet Protocol addresses, orother session interface or protocol. The communication sessions of Step404 and Step 406 are initiated to ensure that bandwidth, memory,processing power, or other resources of the client, remote repeater andhost repeater are dedicated to communication between the devices forensuring that real time or non-real time data is transferredefficiently. Step 406 may involve sending and receiving registrationinformation and cellular carrier information for the client between therepeaters.

Next, the host repeater transmits data on a home network on behalf ofthe client (Step 408), with the process terminating thereafter. Forexample, the host repeater may emulate a cell phone for making andreceiving data during a phone call.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart for a process for using a host repeater forcommunications in accordance with illustrative embodiments of thepresent invention. The process of FIG. 5 is a more detailed explanationof steps 404-408 of FIG. 4. The process of FIG. 5 may be implemented bya remote repeater. The process begins by initiating communication with awired network (Step 502). In one embodiment, the wired network is theInternet or other Internet Protocol network. The wired network may beany number or combinations of public and private networks.

Next, the remote repeater transmits registration information to the hostrepeater on a home network based on information from the client (Step504). The registration information allows the host repeater to emulatethe client. The registration information includes data, protocols,passwords, keys, numbers, or addresses for communicating with a cellularnetwork.

Next, the remote repeater receives cellular carrier information from thehost repeater for emulating a wireless access point (Step 506) with theprocess terminating thereafter. The cellular carrier information allowsthe remote repeater to act as a wireless access point, such as acellular broadcast tower for sending and receiving communications fromthe client during a repeater session. Step 506 allows the remoterepeater to act as the client's receiver and transmits all packets tothe host repeater. Because the remote repeater acts as the client'receiver, the client may communicate using an available networkconnection. For example, if the client is in a mountainous region wherenormal cellular communications is unavailable, the client may access anetwork that is available to make calls through the home network.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for a process for using a remote repeater forcommunications in accordance with the illustrative embodiments of thepresent invention. In one embodiment, a software program installed onthe host repeater implements the process described in FIG. 6. Theprocess of FIG. 6 is a more detailed explanation of Steps 406 and 408 ofFIG. 4. The process of FIG. 6 may be implemented by a host repeater. Theprocess begins by registering as the client and initiating communicationwith a cellular network (Step 602). During Step 602, the host repeateris registered as the client device for transmitting data on behalf ofthe client. The registration information may be an identifier, a script,code, or protocol that the client uses to register itself with thecellular network. For example, the registration information may havebeen sent by the client device or may have been previously stored on thehost repeater for situations when the client is out of range of thecellular network. Step 602 may be implemented in response to a remoterepeater contacting the host repeater in Step 502 of FIG. 5.

Next, the host repeater determines cellular carrier information on acellular network and sends the cellular carrier information to theremote repeater before entering repeat mode (Step 604). The cellularcarrier information allows the remote repeater to emulate a cellularbroadcast tower or other wireless transceiver. Next, the host repeateracts as the client on the cellular network broadcasting data frompackets received from the remote repeater and receiving data for theclient (Step 606) with the process terminating thereafter.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for a process for using a host repeater forcellular communications in accordance with the illustrative embodimentsof the present invention. The process of FIG. 7 may be implemented by ahost repeater in a repeater system. The process begins by registeringwith a cellular network (Step 702). The cellular network may be anetwork frequently used by a wireless user. For example, the cellularnetwork may be the home cellular network that the wireless user uses tomake calls at home and at work. The host repeater registers by sendingdata that the cell phone would send to register itself if the cell phonewere present at the location of the host repeater. The data may includeidentification codes, passwords, and other handshake protocols used tointerface a wireless device with a service network.

Next, the host repeater receives data from a remote network (step 704).The data may intermediately be passed through various wired or wirelessnetworks before reaching the host network. In one embodiment, the remotenetwork may be located in the same location as a remote wireless user.For example, the remote wireless user may access an 802.11g network inan airport in Argentina.

Next, the host repeater translates the format of the data (Step 706). Inone embodiment, the host repeater translates the format of the data frompackets that are easily transferable over the Internet to voice packetscommunicable over a cellular network. However, the translation may bebetween any number of voice and data protocols suitable for transferringinformation.

Next, the host repeater transmits the data to the cell network (Step708). During Step 708, the data is effectively passed to the cellnetwork to be broadcast or transmitted. For example, the data may bepart of a phone call that is being passed through the host repeater. Bytransmitting the data to the cell network, the host repeater allows thecellular footprint to be effectively expanded to the location of aremote wireless user. Next, the host repeater receives data from thecell network (step 710). The data received in Step 710 may be part of aconversation that is being transmitted from a wireless user withcommunication access to the cellular network to the remote wirelessuser. Next, the host repeater translates the format of the data (Step712). In the ongoing example, the host repeater may translate the formatof the data from voice packets to Internet protocol packets. This mayinvolve any number of packetization processes including adding ormodifying a header, routing information, or other relevant protocoldata.

Next, the host repeater communicates data to the remote repeater (step714) with the process terminating thereafter. The remote repeater mayfurther route data to a wireless device used by the remote wirelessuser. For example, the remote repeater may transmit the data to acellular phone accessing the remote repeater.

The previous detailed description is of a small number of embodimentsfor implementing the invention and is not intended to be limiting inscope. One of skill in this art will immediately envision the methodsand variations used to implement this invention in other areas thanthose described in detail. The following claims set forth a number ofthe embodiments of the invention disclosed with greater particularity.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of communicating through a repeater,comprising: receiving format information at the repeater via a wiredconnection; selecting a first format from among a plurality of formatsaccording to the format information, wherein the first format iscompatible with a wireless cellular network; receiving, at the repeaterand via the wired connection, first data in a second format compatiblewith a wired internet protocol network, the second format beingdifferent from the first format; converting the first data from thesecond format to the first format; wirelessly transmitting the firstdata from the repeater in the first format; wirelessly receiving, at therepeater, second data in the first format; converting the second datafrom the first format to the second format; and communicating the seconddata in the second format from the repeater via the wired connection. 2.The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the plurality of formatsincludes the global system for mobile communications and code divisionmultiple access formats.
 3. The method as set forth in claim 1, furthercomprising using a static internet protocol address to communicate viathe wired connection, wherein converting the second data from the firstformat to the second format includes formatting the data for use with asecure internet protocol tunnel.
 4. The method as set forth in claim 1,further comprising: receiving registration information in the secondformat via the wired connection; wirelessly transmitting theregistration information in the first format; and emulating a wirelessphone corresponding to the registration information when wirelesslycommunicating in the first format.
 5. The method as set forth in claim4, wherein the registration information is DMA registration informationcomprising cellular identification and a long PN code.
 6. The method asset forth in claim 1, further comprising: receiving cellular carrierinformation at the repeater in the first format; converting the cellularcarrier information to the second format; and communicating the cellularcarrier information via the wired connection, wherein the cellularcarrier information includes sequences, channels and provider.
 7. Themethod as set forth in claim 1, wherein converting the first data fromthe second format to the first format includes translating controlsignaling into wireless commands, wherein converting the second datafrom the first format to the second format includes translating wirelesscommands by encoding the commands to control signaling forretransmission via the wired connection, and wherein the first data andthe second data include real-time voice data.
 8. A method ofcommunicating through a repeater, comprising: receiving a wirelesscommunications signal; detecting a first format of the wirelesscommunication signal, the first format being compatible with a wirelesscellular network; communicating, in a second format over a wiredconnection, format information indicating the first format, the secondformat being different from the first format and compatible with a wiredinternet protocol network; wirelessly receiving, at the repeater, firstdata in the first format; converting the first data from the firstformat to the second format; communicating the first data via the wiredconnection in the second format; receiving, at the repeater and via thewired connection, second data in the second format; converting thesecond data from the second format to the first format; and wirelesslytransmitting the second data from the repeater in the first format. 9.The method as set forth in claim 8, further comprising: wirelesslyreceiving registration information at the repeater, wherein theregistration information enables a wireless device to communicate with awireless cellular network; converting the registration information fromthe first format to the second format; and communicating theregistration information in the second format via the wired connection.10. The method as set forth in claim 8, further comprising using astatic internet protocol address to communicate via the wiredconnection, wherein converting the first data from the first format tothe second format includes formatting the data for use with a secureinternet protocol tunnel.
 11. The method as set forth in claim 8,further comprising: receiving cellular carrier information in the secondformat via the wired connection, the cellular carrier informationcomprising sequences, channels and provider; and wirelessly transmittingthe cellular carrier information from the repeater in the second format.12. The method as set forth in claim 8, wherein: the first data and thesecond data include real-time voice data, wherein converting the firstdata from the first format to the second format includes translatingwireless commands by encoding the commands to control signaling forretransmission via the wired connection, wherein converting the seconddata from the second format to the first format includes translatingcontrol signaling into wireless commands.
 13. A system for extendingcommunications, comprising: a first repeater having a first wirelessradio and a first wired connection, the first repeater being configuredto: receive a wireless communications signal; detect a first format ofthe wireless communication signal, the first format being compatiblewith a wireless cellular network; communicate, in a second format overthe first wired connection, format information indicating the firstformat, the second format being different from the first format andcompatible with a wired internet protocol network; wirelessly receivefirst data in the first format; convert the first data from the firstformat to the second format; communicate the first data via the firstwired connection in the second format; receive, via the first wiredconnection, second data in the second format; convert the second datafrom the second format to the first format; and wirelessly transmit thesecond data in the first format.
 14. The system as set forth in claim13, further comprising: a second repeater comprising a second wirelessradio and a second wired connection, the second repeater beingconfigured to: receive the format information via the second wiredconnection; select a third format from among a plurality of formats, thethird format being compatible with a wireless cellular network; receive,via the wired connection, the first data in the second format; convertthe first data from the second format to the third format; wirelesslytransmit the first data in the third format; wirelessly receive thesecond data in the third format; convert the second data from the thirdformat to the second format; and communicate the second data in thesecond format via the second wired connection.
 15. The system as setforth in claim 14, wherein the first format and the third format are thesame format.
 16. The system as set forth in claim 13, wherein the firstrepeater comprises a WiFi access point.
 17. The system as set forth inclaim 13, wherein the first repeater comprises a personal computer. 18.The system as set forth in claim 13, further wherein the first repeateris further configured to: receive registration information in the secondformat via the first wired connection; wirelessly transmit theregistration information in the first format; and emulate a wirelessphone corresponding to the registration information when wirelesslycommunicating in the first format
 19. The system as set forth in claim18, wherein the registration information is DMA registration informationcomprising cellular identification and a long PN code.
 20. The system asset forth in claim 13, wherein the first repeater is further configuredto: receive cellular carrier information in the first format; convertthe cellular carrier information to the second format; and communicatethe cellular carrier information via the first wired connection, whereinthe cellular carrier information includes sequences, channels andprovider.
 21. The system as set forth in claim 13, wherein: convertingthe first data from the first format to the second format includestranslating control signaling into wireless commands; converting thesecond data from the second format to the first format includestranslating wireless commands by encoding the commands to controlsignaling for retransmission via the wired connection; and the firstdata and the second data include real-time voice data.